Southwark and London Diocesan Housing Association
Southwark and London Diocesan Housing Association
Allocations and Lettings Policy
This policy combines our existing policies on Allocations and Lettings, Transfers and Mutual Exchanges and the Nominations of Key Workers.
1.0Southwark and London Diocesan Housing Association’s main objective is to provide good quality homes at affordable rents for those in serious housing need. This policy describes how we aim to achieve that goal.
2.0SLDHA’s aim is generally to provide permanent rented accommodation. Like most Registered Providers (RPs) now, SLDHA works closely with the Local Authorities in the areas that it operates in order to assist them to meet their legal obligations and to comply with any local NominationsAgreements. SLDHA does not keep its own waiting list.
3.0SLDHA has historically provided permanent rented accommodation. The current acute shortage of larger family homes has however led SLDHA to modify its historic policy. On letting all vacant 3 or 4 bedroom properties, a 5 year time-limited tenancy will be awarded. The tenancy will be reviewed in its final 12 month period and an assessment made as to whether such a large home is still needed. If the home is under occupied then an offer of an alternative, smaller home will be made before the expiry of the time-limited tenancy, bearing in mind all the known tenant’s circumstances.
4.0SLDHA will offer permanent tenancies on all 1 and 2 bedroom homes.
5.0Any tenant of SLDHA can apply for a transfer to another SLDHA property or an appropriate mutual exchange with a tenant of another Registered Provider. Generally speaking, transfers or mutual exchanges will not be granted if a tenant is in rent arrears or if there are other outstanding breaches of the tenancy. Priorities will be given to those applicants who may be overcrowded, those who need to move on health grounds or those who may be suffering harassment.
6.0Applicants for Housing generally now apply directly to the Council for property under a Choice-Based Lettings System (CBL). SLDHA collaborates with the Local Authority which advertises the vacant SLDHA property. Applicants can then in turn apply directly for a particular SLDHA property advertised by the Local Authority under the Local Authority’s ‘banding’ criteria.
7.0SLDHA also works with some referral agencies where residents on certain developments require care and support. These referral agencies in turn work closely with the Local Authorities in the areas they operate.
8.0SLDHA is also committed to working closely with Churches to house those who may have a close link to a local Parish and who may be engaged in important work in the community. This will include retired Clergy. The Association has long-standing relationships with a number of Parishes over this. Where it has the scope to, it houses these Key Workers in specified properties as and when they become vacant. The Parishes who have such nomination rights are:
St Matthew at the Elephant (1 St. Matthews’s Court)
Christchurch, Camberwell(59 Kings Grove)
Clapham Team Ministry(59A Bromfelde Road)
St. Mary’s, Lewisham(36D Clarendon Rise)
St. Stephen’s Lewisham(36C Clarendon Rise)
9.0Before any property is allocated, an applicant will normally be invited to view the accommodation. No decision is made at this viewing but an interview will follow at SLDHA’s offices to ensure the nomination is appropriate and that prospective tenants and SLDHA understand their mutual obligations for each other. SLDHA reserves the right to refuse to house a Local Authority nominated tenant for reasonable cause, such as poor rental payment or a history of anti-social behaviour.
10.0All decisions on the allocation of property are made by the Operations Manager and Housing Officer. Applicants do have the right of appeal to the Director.